Editorial: Taking advantage of a day of thanksgiving

If we did not already have a Thanksgiving Day, this would be a very good year to invent one.

If we did not already have a Thanksgiving Day, this would be a very good year to invent one.

Yes, it’s true, we Americans have whipped ourselves into a black and blue state over our red and blue ideals.

We are fighting tooth and nail over something we all have in common, a need for good health care.

A great recession has affected everyone to some degree or another, including our recent college graduates, who have entered a job market that is not ready to hire them for their talents.

Now comes the president, about to announce his decision on how many additional troops are to be deployed in Afghanistan, a number expected to be around 38,000.

Despite apparent turmoil everywhere, Americans have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

The freedom to argue over red and blue political ideals is the mark of a great nation, and we should be grateful for it. We can’t bicker forever and remain powerful, but we can use the current level of internal turmoil to our advantage by regrouping, solidifying our commonness and moving forward.

The health care “fight” is really a health care debate. Each side will emerge from the discourse with some of its goals provided for. Health care will be stronger for the great battle of words and ideas.

The recession has brought much of the nation to its knees, and spread fear throughout the land.

Though it shows signs of loosening its grip, we can expect years of struggle ahead for those hardest hit. Those of us relatively spared should be grateful for the time to tighten our belts and reassess the things most important in our lives.

The president has said his troop decision will be made to “finish the job” in Afghanistan. He was elected largely on a platform to end the war, and will be held accountable for the results of his decision in the next election. On in a free nation do leaders face a judgment day at the polls.

Happily, we don’t have to invent Thanksgiving Day, just take advantage of it.